Day 2: New Friends, New Beginnings

Χαίρετε et konnichi wa! 

Who would have known that on our second day at Latin Academy we would be learning Ancient Greek and Japanese! That's two more languages than we signed up for. We started the day with our very first Ancient Greek lessons, and learned a very catchy alphabet song. ὃς καλός! We were given the opportunity to convene with the Japanese Academy, where we greeted each other in the opposite languages that we were learning. We've seen them around campus and in the dining hall wearing their blue tags, and it was nice to finally be able to put names to faces and make some new friends.

Tuesday evening marked two very auspicious events here at Latin Academy: play auditions and elections. Over the last few days, the Populares and Optimates factions have been facing off in a bitter match full of bribery, propaganda wars, and fiery speeches. Tonight we gathered in our togas to hear the speeches of the many candidates who connected to the audience and appealed to them with both humor and solemnity, along with the occasional boast. Gathering in the Multipurpose Room, decked out in our nifty togatae, the various members of our Academy took part in a traditional Roman election to choose our representatives. In the end: Tyler and Laura were elected Quaestors to help with handing out mail. Karsten and Ellie were elected Tribunes to plan social events. Ananya and Mercury became Aediles who are now updating the blog! Madi and Macon are our Praetors who will help plan sports events for Fourth of July. Esther and Grace Ma were elected our Consuls and will help introduce speakers and give the morning announcements each day. Lastly, Morgan and Jimmy were elected Censors, tasked with keeping count of everyone and waking up their hall-mates in the morning.

Another event that took place on this fun-filled day was auditions for the play. We are putting on Miles Gloriosus by Roman playwright Plautus, which centers comedy, star-crossed romance, and many mischievous, confusing plots which our directors don't fully understand themselves. Although the play itself will be performed in Latin, the auditions were in English, which we were very thankful for. We were impressed by the way the actors were able to perform in such versatile ways on a moment's whim, and switch quickly through parts in quick skits. The auditions were ended by each actor reading some Latin from the play on the spot, which truly put our Loquenda skills to the test. The main character, Pyrgopolinices, our Miles Gloriosus (Braggart Soldier) will be Keith. 

Here is our full cast list:
Miles Gloriosus: Keith
Palaestrio: Ananya, Mercury, and Grace Ma
Periplectomenus: Amelie and Jason
Sceledrus: Nathan
Philocomasium: Dale
Pleusicles: Karsten
Milphidippa: Sara
Aeroteleutrum: Caroline
Artotrogus: Deeba
Cario: Will H.
Plautus Ipse: Percy
Cook entourage: Donny, Robert, Jaden
Courtesan: Autumn
​Parasiti: Laura and Morgan
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That's all for today!

​Signing off for the first BUT NOT LAST time, your aediles, Ananya and Mercury :D